How to Find Grants for Nonprofits in California
If you're reading this, you're probably juggling a lot — running programs, managing volunteers, keeping the lights on — and now you're trying to figure out how to find grants that actually fit your nonprofit. It can feel overwhelming, especially when you're Googling "California nonprofit grants" and getting buried in outdated links or irrelevant results.
Here's the good news: California has a lot of grant opportunities. The challenge isn't that they don't exist — it's that they're scattered across dozens of websites, portals, and foundation pages. This guide breaks it all down step by step, so you can spend less time searching and more time applying to grants that are actually a good match.
Start with What's Available in California
California offers a mix of state government grants, federal programs, and private foundation funding. Here's where to begin:
State Government Grants
California Grants Portal (grants.ca.gov) is your starting point. It's a centralized hub managed by the California State Library that lists all grants and loans offered by state agencies. You can filter by applicant type, grant category, and deadline — which saves you from visiting a dozen different agency websites.
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) manages grants for affordable housing and community development, including:
- Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC)
- CalHome
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program
If your nonprofit works in housing, homelessness, or community development, bookmark HCD's NOFA Calendar. It shows when draft guidelines, funding announcements, and application deadlines are coming up.
Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) runs the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP), which helps nonprofits at high risk of violent attacks pay for security upgrades. This is an annual program, so if it's relevant to your work, plan to apply each year.
Pro tip: The California Grants Portal lists "Recently Posted" grants, so check it weekly if you're actively searching. Set a calendar reminder so it becomes part of your routine.
Federal Grants Available to California Nonprofits
Don't skip federal opportunities just because they're not state-specific. Many federal programs are open to California-based nonprofits, including:
- FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) — for physical security enhancements
- USDA Rural Development — Rural Community Development Initiative Grants
- Administration for Children and Families (ACF) — Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
These programs often have annual cycles, so once you apply, you can reuse much of your application the following year.
Top Foundations to Know in California
California is home to some of the largest philanthropic organizations in the country. While this guide can't list every funder, here are a few key resources to explore:
The Grantsmanship Center (tgci.com) maintains updated lists of:
- Top Giving Foundations in California
- Community Foundations in California
- Corporate Giving Programs in California
These lists are helpful because they break funders down by focus area and region. If you're based in Los Angeles, for example, you'll want to look at community foundations serving LA County. If you're in the Bay Area, there are different funders to prioritize.
Statewide vs. Regional Funders
Some foundations fund across the entire state, while others focus on specific counties or regions. When you're researching, pay attention to geographic restrictions — it'll save you time and help you focus on grants you're actually eligible for.
Your Grant Search Toolkit
Here are the tools and resources California nonprofits use most often:
Free Resources
- California Grants Portal (grants.ca.gov) — Your go-to for state grants
- California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) — Advocacy, training, and peer support for nonprofits across the state
- CalOSBA (calosba.ca.gov) — Resources for small businesses and nonprofits, including webinars and a Business Learning Center
- The Grantsmanship Center — Free funder lists and low-cost grant writing courses (including live virtual formats)
- Zeffy's Grant Finder — A 100% free grant discovery tool that helps you filter by cause, location, and eligibility
Paid or Subscription Tools
If your budget allows, consider tools like Candid (formerly Foundation Center) or GrantStation. These platforms offer deeper funder profiles and reusable application content. That said, many small nonprofits find success using free tools — especially when they're strategic about their search.
Pro tip: If you're new to grant searching, start with free tools. Once you've applied to a few grants and know what you're looking for, you can decide if a paid subscription is worth it.
Eligibility and What Funders Look For
Most grants in California require your nonprofit to have 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Beyond that, eligibility varies widely depending on the funder and the program.
Common Requirements
- Geographic location — Some grants are only for nonprofits based in specific counties or regions
- Cause area — Funders often focus on specific issues like education, health, housing, or the arts
- Organization size — Some grants are only for small nonprofits (under $500K budget), while others target larger organizations
- Policies and documentation — Certain grants require things like a whistleblower policy, board diversity statement, or financial audit
California-Specific Compliance
If you're applying for state grants through HCD or other agencies, you'll need to follow their reporting and compliance guidelines. These are usually outlined in the grant application, but it's worth reviewing them early so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
Pro tip: Keep a folder (digital or physical) with your most commonly requested documents: IRS determination letter, board list, budget, financial statements, and program descriptions. You'll use these over and over.
When to Apply
Grant cycles in California vary depending on the funder, but here are some patterns to watch for:
State Grants
The California Grants Portal lists current opportunities year-round, but many state programs follow the state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). HCD's NOFA Calendar is especially helpful for planning ahead.
Federal Grants
Programs like FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program and USDA Rural Development grants typically open once a year. For example, FEMA's NSGP has had annual cycles for FY 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Foundation Grants
Private foundations often have rolling deadlines or specific application windows (e.g., spring and fall). Check each funder's website or sign up for their email list to stay informed.
Pro tip: Some grants allow you to reapply year after year. If you don't get it the first time, ask for feedback and try again next cycle. Persistence pays off.
Getting Started: Your First 3 Weeks
If you're new to grant searching, here's a realistic plan to help you move forward without getting overwhelmed.
Week 1: Set Up Your System
- Bookmark the California Grants Portal and CalNonprofits
- Create a simple spreadsheet to track grants (columns: Grant Name, Funder, Deadline, Amount, Eligibility, Status)
- Gather your core documents: 501(c)(3) letter, budget, board list, program descriptions
- Sign up for email alerts from The Grantsmanship Center or CalOSBA
Week 2: Research and Filter
- Search for grants using keywords related to your cause and location (see list below)
- Read eligibility requirements carefully — don't waste time on grants you don't qualify for
- Identify 3–5 grants that seem like a good fit
- Note their deadlines and required documents
Week 3: Prepare and Apply
- Draft answers to common questions (mission, programs, budget, impact)
- Save these answers in a document you can reuse
- Start with one smaller grant to practice the process
- Set calendar reminders for upcoming deadlines
Pro tip: You don't have to apply to 20 grants at once. Start small, learn the process, and build from there.
Search Keywords That Work
When you're searching for grants in California — whether on Google, Zeffy's Grant Finder, or another platform — try these keyword combinations:
- California nonprofit grants
- Grants for [your cause] in California (e.g., "grants for animal rescue in California")
- [City or county name] nonprofit funding (e.g., "Los Angeles nonprofit grants")
- California community foundation grants
- Housing grants California
- Education grants California
- Health grants California
- Arts funding California
- Small nonprofit grants California
- CalOES grants
Pro tip: If your nonprofit serves a specific community (e.g., Black-led, LGBTQ+, immigrant-focused), include that in your search. Many funders prioritize equity and community-specific work.
Getting Help When You Need It
You don't have to figure this out alone. Here are a few places to turn when you need support:
- California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) — Offers training, advocacy, and peer networks
- The Grantsmanship Center — Grant writing courses and funder lists
- CalOSBA — Webinars and resources for small nonprofits
- Local community foundations — Many offer free workshops or one-on-one support for nonprofits in their region
If you're feeling stuck, reach out. Most of these organizations exist to help nonprofits like yours succeed.
Final Encouragement
Grant seeking is a skill, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. You're not going to win every grant you apply for — and that's okay. Even experienced grant writers have success rates around 10–30%. What matters is that you're learning, improving, and staying focused on grants that are a good fit for your mission.
You're doing important work, and there are funders out there who want to support you. Take it one step at a time, use the tools and resources available to you, and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way.
You've got this.
